Career advice

[Dorsal Fin]

So here is the situation. 5 years ago i screwed up, had a runin with the law and recieved a class a misdemeanor. This was my first and only run in with the law, and i definatley learned my lesson.

I have interviewed with a couple of regional airlines, trying to get out of the cargo operation that i am in now. The misdemeanor did not come up in the first interviews and i was not offered the job. I recently attended an openhouse for a regional airline, my qualifications seemed like they were in line with what they were looking for (so they said), but when they asked if i had any criminal background we discussed it and they imediatley dissmissed me. I recently had a phone interview, and it seemed like I had the same experience.

Here is my question. Am i screwed, (should i be looking for that trucking schools phone number).

or should i just wait for a 2 more years till the record is expunged.

after the record is expunged, should i admit to the misdemeanor.

Any advice from people that have experience with this would be helpfull, and please no flames as i have already been torched.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

All companies are going to ask that question. Since it is a Class A, I would imagine it was a serious offense. A Felony is only one step away. On a lighter note, apply with ASA, they have a repeat offender running pilot recruiting. After all, ASA is the "world's best".

 

[vclean]

What did the offense involve? Was it originally a felony charge plea-bargained down to a Class A?

 

[Dorsal Fin]

it was orig. a felony, but plead down, if that matters.

 

[Dorsal Fin]

All companies are going to ask that question. Since it is a Class A, I would imagine it was a serious offense. A Felony is only one step away. On a lighter note, apply with ASA, they have a repeat offender running pilot recruiting. After all, ASA is the "world's best".

I did apply with ASA. They are the ones that i had the phone interview with. I got the feeling that they weren't going to look at me seriously.

 

[shamrock]

On a lighter note, apply with ASA, they have a repeat offender running pilot recruiting. After all, ASA is the "world's best".

I have a friend who was hired at ASA that had a DUI/DWI at 18 or 19, a good 8-10 years before getting hired and probably 5 years before she even began to fly. This recruiter gave her a TON of cr*p about it, after she was hired.

"Hello Ms. Kettle, I'm Mrs. Pot and I'll be deciding whether you are worthy of employment with our airline."

 

[vclean]

it was orig. a felony, but plead down, if that matters.

What was the original felony charge and what did you plea to? Certain crimes forbid you from employment in the 121 (possibly 135) world for at least 10 years.

Certain crimes specifically disqualify you from employment with any airline. What you did may have to time out (10 years), before applying to a carrier.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

I have a friend who was hired at ASA that had a DUI/DWI at 18 or 19, a good 8-10 years before getting hired and probably 5 years before she even began to fly. This recruiter gave her a TON of cr*p about it, after she was hired.

"Hello Ms. Kettle, I'm Mrs. Pot and I'll be deciding whether you are worthy of employment with our airline."

That's about what I expected. At ASA, the bigger a screw up you are, the higher you are promoted. Then, after you've reached a position of enough power, you can bust as many people you'd like who've made less serious mistakes. Or, you can write aritcles in the pilot-bashing newsletters, and proceed to inform all the less experienced line peasants how to do the most basic tasks. Like a preschooler. "ASA, the world's best regional airline." Yeah, whatever...

 

[SAEflyr]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't a class A put you into the gray area with the FAA as far as the "good moral character" clause is concerned? Seems like an airline wouldn't want to hire someone that is possibly ineligible for an ATP.

 

[acaTerry]

That's about what I expected. At ASA, the bigger a screw up you are, the higher you are promoted.

So I can go be a street CA at ASA?!!

 

[upndsky]

If you want an honest opinion, you've got to tell us what you did. If it was drug-related, for example, I would say you can kiss the career bye-bye.

 

[embraerjetpilot]

Career advice...find another profession..

Four more years of Nazi control.. brings no new airline jobs.

 

[Clyde]

Career advice...find another profession..

Four more years of Nazi control.. brings no new airline jobs.

So far Bush is leading in the polls, so no Nazi control. If Kerry wins, you will have Nazi control, along with every other country that Kerry would think we need permission from to make decisions here.

 

[English]

My advice - is worthless, just like everyone else's here, because we have never been in your situation.

If you really want help, I'd recommend talking to someone like Lori Clark, who used to be a recruiter for a regional airline and now does interview preps, background checks and the like. She will definitely know if and how to get you back in the good stack.

If you really want to move on, you'll need professional help.

Her website www.flytheline.com

 

[WhiteCloud]

If you want an honest opinion, you've got to tell us what you did. If it was drug-related, for example, I would say you can kiss the career bye-bye.

Absolutely. Just based on the evasiveness displayed on this anonymous thread I'd say getting hired on at an airline would be next to impossible. The evasiveness about the type of crime is problem #1. Being more forthcoming to an interviewer (or us since you asked us about it) would at least get you considered.

 

[Greg]

Plus we're all nosey SOB's and we just wanna know.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Plus we're all nosey SOB's and we just wanna know.

Yeah...that too!

 

[Dorsal Fin]

It was not drug related. It was forgery and theft charges. The theft charges were dropped. I have been open with former interviewers about what happened. I was hesitant to get the info on the message board because virtually no one knows about the incident, and personaly I want to keep it as quiet as possible. I don't have a problem with people that need to know, knowing, but the general public knowing, i would rather them not know

 

[upndsky]

Again, you're being vague. If you wrote a bad check, no big deal. I'm sure all of us had one or two bounce when starting in this business.

If you stole from an employer, however, that's another whole kettle of fish. As someone posted earlier, this gets into the "character" thing regarding the ATP.

This isn't about being nosy. You asked for advice, but you need to provide us with information if you want an honest assessment. You're posting anonymously, so unless you give your name (don't), no one is going to know who you are.

Now, with the little information you've given us, I'm going to say you're hosed. Offenses like DUIs can be categorized as mistakes. I don't think anyone goes out drinking with the purposeful intent of being able to drive drunk later on. A DUI just shows poor judgment. But forgery and theft implies premeditation and planning, which means you knew the act was wrong and illegal as you were commiting it. That shows poor character, and that's what an employer is going to look at.

I'm not saying you're a bad person or that you didn't learn from your experience, but without more info I think you're going to have an uphill battle. Hopefully, I'm wrong and wish you all the best.

 

[T-Gates]

It was forgery and theft charges.

I believe a Forgery conviction is disqualifying per the FBI background check....

 

[Dorsal Fin]

I believe a Forgery conviction is disqualifying per the FBI background check....

As i read the regs it is a 10 year wait for a fealony conviction. not a misedmeanor.

 

[vclean]

I believe these are the disqualifying crimes for airline employment. Other crimes may have been added since the document I copied from was created.

DISQUALIFYING CRIMES*​

​

​

1. Forgery of certificates, false marking of aircraft, and other aircraft registration violations;​

​

2. Interference with air navigation;​

3. Improper transportation of a hazardous material;​

4. Aircraft piracy;​

5. Interference with flight crew members or flight attendants;​

6. Commission of certain crimes aboard aircraft in flight;​

7. Carrying a weapon or explosive aboard aircraft;​

8. Conveying false information and threats;​

9. Aircraft piracy outside the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States;​

10. Lighting violations involving transporting controlled substances;​

11. Unlawful entry into an aircraft or airport area that serves air carriers or foreign air carriers contrary to established security requirements;​

12. Destruction of an aircraft or aircraft facility;​

13. Murder;​

​

14. Assault with intent to murder;​

15. Espionage;​

16. Sedition;​

17. Kidnapping or hostage taking;​

18. Treason;​

19. Rape or aggravated sexual abuse;​

20. Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive or weapon;​

21. Extortion;​

22. Armed or felony unarmed robbery;​

23. Distribution of, or intent to distribute, a controlled substance;​

24. Felony arson;​

25. Felony involving a threat;​

26. A felony involving—​

a.​

Willful destruction of property,​

​

b.​

Importation or manufacture of a controlled substance,​

​

c.​

Burglary,​

d.​

Theft,​

e.​

Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation,​

f.​

Possession or distribution of stolen property,


​

g.​

Aggravated assault,​

h.​

Bribery, and​

i.​

Illegal possession of a controlled substance punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year;​

27. Violence at international airports;​

​

28. Conspiracy to commit any of the aforementioned criminal acts.​

Although 26(e) is listed as a felony, your original charge was a felony plea bargained to a Class A. Airlines are understandably apprehensive about hiring someone with a background in forgery. It's an employers market, they can be as selective as they choose. Your conviction may have to age 10 years before an airline will hire you.​

Keep applying, but if they don't ask you about your background, it will show when they receive your background check.​

 

[chrism]

Dorsal,
Do what you KNOW needs to be done and consult with an attorney. Spilling your beans on an internet message board won't get you anywhere but deeper. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[relief tube]

crazy times call for crazy measures. If I were you, I'd quit trying to guess or asking people to guess here. I'd be truthful and contact those in the know. An attorney, the FBI, the FAA, and individual recruiters of the airlines. Sure all these represent some of the most beaurocratic establishments in this country, but in the end, each one of these is made up of individual people, people that might be willing to help on an individual basis. Write or call them all, tell them the scoop openly and truthfully, and see what they say. Sure some will probably decline comment, but there has to be those sympathetic enough to at least give you an industry-educated opinion.

Then go from there.....